What’s Happening Next Week?

This story features ANZ GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED, and other companies. For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: ANZ

By Andrew Nelson

Another weak week is ending with hope for Australia and more bad news for US investors as it looks more and more likely that Congress will not be able to get to grips with the proposed US$15bn auto rescue package before the weekend. In Australia, while the week ended on an undeniable sour note, we’ll start next week hoping Prime Minister Rudd’s plans to spend an extra $4.7bn in 2009 to support jobs and the economy will help matters sooner rather than later.

Monday starts with plenty of discussion about what did and didn’t happen in the US Congress as regards the US$15bn auto rescue package. There will also be November retail sales, October business inventories and the University of Michigan consumer confidence read for December. In Europe, there’s labour costs and IP numbers to think about.

Closer to home we’ll have NZ manufacturing activity for 3Q and the Japan Tankan survey for 4Q. In Australia we’ll have all day to talk about the latest fiscal stimulus package from Canberra, with the Prime Minister pledging another $4.7bn in 2009 to support the economy. Rudd said the spending program would add 0.25% to 0.50% to GDP.

A couple of stocks, including brewer Lion Nathan ((LNN)) trade ex rights.

Tuesday starts with European 3Q employment data and a number of releases from the US, including November IP, a December homebuilders survey and the Empire Manufacturing Index. Japan’s Tertiary Industry Index for October is out and in our own backyard there’s 3Q dwelling starts and the big news of the day, the minutes from the last RBA meeting.

On Wednesday we’ll start with a rate decision from the US, plus November CPI, housing starts and building permits. the UK also puts out November CPI numbers. Closer to home there’s Australian customs imports and HIA new home sales data for November.

Thursday sees a rate decision from the UK the first cab off the rank. There will also be some November jobless claims data out in the land of Big Ben, while the Eurozone releases November CPI data. The US is slated to put out its 3Q current account.  Australia sees the latest RBA Bulletin and 3Q flow of funds data.

The only really busy day on the Australian corporate calendar sees ANZ Bank ((ANZ)), National Australia Bank ((NAB)) and Ten Network ((TEN)) all host their AGMs.

Friday begins with European trade data, UK retail sales numbers and US November leading indicators and comments from the Philly Fed. Japan has got a busy day, with a rate decision from the BoJ and the all industry index for October both due.  In Australia, Incitec Pivot ((IPL)) hosts its AGM.

That’s it for now. For more information you can check the calendar on the site, or tune in Monday morning for “The Week Ahead”.

Click to view our Glossary of Financial Terms